1 August 2024

Things to do in Canberra this week (2 - 8 August)

| Claire Sams
Start the conversation
Two girls standing on a stage talking to a crowd

Young minds will set out their visions of the future in this TedX Youth event in Canberra. Photo: TedX Canberra.

Julia Gillard is making a return to the capital this week (well, to the stage, at least), there’s an event celebrating IPAs (the beers, not the accountants), a festival returns to Lyneham and there’s a truffle-inspired French dinner. And that’s just for starters …

Multiple days

Two women on stage, one arranging flowers

Here is a chance to see Julia make her (theatre) comeback. Photo: Prudence Upton.

Julia

When: 31 July to 11 August, shows at various times
Where: The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Civic
Cost: Tickets cost between $69.95 and $119.95 and are available from the Theatre Centre.

The smash-hit play Julia, which tells the story of Australia’s first female Prime Minister, is bringing the former PM back to Canberra.

The Canberra Theatre Centre (CTC) has again teamed up with the Sydney Theatre Company (STC) to bring Joanna Murray-Smith’s work back to the city. In Julia, Justine Clarke plays Ms Gillard in a fictional imagining of the lead-up to the famous Misogny Speech. The show contains coarse language, strobe lighting and haze effects. It is suitable for audiences aged 15 and older (or younger with parental discretion).

A poster for the event

Wired is an original dance production about a house where things get out of control. Image: Supplied.

Wired

When: 2 August to 3 August, 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Erindale Theatre, 115 McBryde Crescent, Wanniassa
Cost: Tickets cost $47.50 and $63.50 (or $25 for students) and are available from StickyTickets.

After six months of training and rehearsals, 18 elite young dancers from the ACT and surrounding areas will take to the stage at Erindale Theatre to perform Wired – an original full-length contemporary dance work by The Training Ground. The show is the group’s fourth community-based contemporary dance project. It is based on the true story of a person who crawled inside the walls of an American house in the 1980s, resulting in some unexpected consequences.

People waiting at a bar

IPAs will take over this Canberra venue into the early morning hours. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

International IPA Day at The Durham Castle Arms Inn

When: 1 August and 2 August, from 12 pm until early on Friday
Where: Durham Castle Arms Inn, 52 Jardine Street, Kingston
Cost: Free entry.

Whether you’re a years-long fan or are just curious about the beers, this is the place to be. IPAs (India pale ales) take their name from their origin as an export beer shipped to India, before becoming popular around the world. A range of them will be on the menu at The Durham Castle Arms, with the pub joining forces with Cloudwater Brew Co, Mountain Culture Beer Co, Big Shed Brewing, Ale Mary Brewing and more! And with celebrations to start on Thursday and run into Friday, there’s no excuse not to start the weekend early!

Saturday

Light up dragonfly artwork

The evening skies in Lyneham will once again be lit up as this community festival makes its return. Artwork and Photo: Jocelyn Barbic.

Light Up Lyneham

When: 3 August, 3 pm to 8 pm
Where: Lyneham Shops, Wattle Street
Cost: Free entry.

Lyneham Community Association is bringing some light and colour to a cold winter night. The festival will feature live music, stalls run by community organisations, arts and crafts activities, roving circus performers and family activities to keep people of all ages busy. There will be stalls selling hot drinks (the mulled wine and hot chocolate will warm you up), as well as several food trucks. Participants will also be invited for a sunset lantern walk through the wetlands, led by the illuminated lion from Canberra Prosperous Mountain and Lion Dance.

ice hockey players in a rink

Get ready to hold your breath as the players take to the ice. Photo: Paul Furness.

Canberra Brave v Central Coast Rhinos

When: 3 August, from 5:15 pm
Where: Phillip Ice Skating Centre, 1 Irving Street, Phillip
Cost: Tickets start at $15 and are available online.

Get ready to cheer on the Brave! As the Rurak Ladder tightens, the second-placed Brave will take on the last-placed Rhinos. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy – you never know what’s going to happen on the ice. If you haven’t been to the Brave Cave, you’re missing out. With tickets starting at $15, break out of your comfort zone and try something new – it’s an experience you won’t forget!

Sunday

A camera on a tripod pointed at a stage with a sign reading 'TEDXCanberra' on it

Eight young entrepreneurs will be making their case for what the future should look like – and what we can do in the present to make it happen. Photo: TedXCanberra.

TEDxCanberra Youth 2024: Stars

When: 4 August, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Canberra Girls Grammar School, 48 Melbourne Avenue, Deakin
Cost: Tickets cost $15 (for students) and $45 (for adults) and are available via Humanitix.

What is your hot take about how the future should look or what we should be doing in the present? At TEDxCanberra Youth ‘Stars’ event, eight speakers will take turns outlining their vision of the future. Attendees will hear from a young human rights advocate, a youth political activist, and plenty more young minds eager to share their ideas with attendees in the workshop, all aged in their early to mid-20s. Head along and hear what they have to say.

People survey the new Ginninderry walking tracks

Explore the natural beauty of the ACT – just be sure to rug up first. Photo: Cristy Froehlich.

Winter Photo Walk with Cristy Froehlich

When: 4 August, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn
Cost: Tickets cost $10 per person (plus booking fee) and are available from Humanitix.

This is your chance to explore the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor on a walk led by award-winning photographer Cristy Froehlich. Bring your mobile phone or your big camera and get ready to start snapping photos.

stalls at the hall markets

The Hartley Hall Markets are back this Sunday, 4 August. Photo: Hartley Lifecare.

Hartley Hall Markets

When: 4 August, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Victoria Street, Hall
Cost: Gold coin donation on entry.

There’ll be plenty of local stallholders at this weekend’s Hartley Hall Markets, selling unique homegrown and handmade goods. You’ll also be supporting a local charity – Hartley Lifecare – at the same time! Dogs are welcome.

Tuesday

Optimising Gut Health

When was the last time you thought of your gut health? Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.

Optimising Gut Health workshop

When: 5 August, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip
Cost: Free entry for Stellar Canberra members, while general admission tickets cost $20 and are available from Eventbrite.

Have you been wanting to work on your gut health? Hear from registered nutritionist Kate Freeman about the fundamentals of gut health and what you need to focus on. In partnership with the Canberra Southern Cross Club and Stellar Canberra, the Healthy Eating Clinic presents monthly nutrition workshops covering various topics.

Wednesday

chef working in the kitchen

If the Olympics have you thinking of France, this is your chance to try some French cuisine (without leaving Canberra). Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

Truffle Dégustation

When: 7 August, sessions from 6 pm or 8:30 pm
Where: Les Bistronomes, 18 Blamey Place, Campbell
Cost: Tickets cost $200 per person and are available from Les Bistronomes.

Are you watching the Olympics and dreaming of France? Head along to Les Bistronomes for their second truffle-themed fine dining experience. On the menu will be La soupe de châtaignes, La volaille en croute de cendre, La crème brulée à la truffe and more, with the option of matching wines.

Photo of Billion Dollar Panel at the Canberra Innovation Network in 2023

These monthly events put your ideas front and centre. Photo: Canberra Innovation Network.

First Wednesday Connect for August

When: 7 August, 5 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Louie Louie, Verity Lane Market, 50 Northbourne Avenue, Civic
Cost: Free entry, though online registration is necessary.

First Wednesday Connect (FWC) is a regular monthly networking event that aims to broaden the innovation ecosystem in Canberra and encourage collaboration. Hear from Canberra’s emerging entrepreneurs as they take the stage in the high-intensity pitch blitz. Learn about groundbreaking innovations that are pinning Canberra on the map for The City of Innovation. UNSW Canberra will host August’s event.

Thursday

Gloomy clouds, two people staring into the distance.

The Offering is showing for one night only in Queanbeyan. Photo: Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre.

The Offering

When: 8 August, from 7:30 pm
Where: Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre (The B), 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan
Cost: Tickets cost between $30 and $55 and are available from the Performing Arts Centre’s website.

Pop over to Queanbeyan for a one-night show. The Offering is a partnership between Omar Musa (multi-award-winning Australian author, poet and rapper) and Mariel Roberts (internationally renowned American cellist and composer). Together, they use music, poetry, and elements of theatre performance to explore environmental damage, our sense of belonging, and how we can connect across borders, using Omar’s family history in Southeast Asia as inspiration. When the protagonist from a country torn apart by ecological collapse and climate change travels across a plastic ocean towards a mythical volcano, he comes across something unexpected amid the destruction.

Computer generated image of a thylacine in a cave looking at rock art

They’re gone but never forgotten – this talk and film screening is all about the Tasmanian tiger. Image: National Museum of Australia.

Spotlight Conversations: Spirit of the Thylacine

When: 8 August, 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: Visions Theatre, National Museum, Lawson Cresent, Acton
Cost: General admission tickets cost $15 and are available via Eventbrite.

This evening will bring the Tasmanian tiger back to life and explore the thylacine’s rich stories and its continuing significance for First Nations peoples. Pakana artist Vicki West from Lutruwita/Tasmania will be joined by the makers of the documentary Tiger on the Rocks, Cathryn Vasseleu and Pat Fiske, for a panel discussion moderated by museum curator Martha Sear. In addition to the 40-minute conversation, audiences will also be treated to a special screening of Tiger on the Rocks and a Q&A session.

Have an event to submit?

Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly events guide.

Start the conversation

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.